davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1887-06-08

Whiskey, like the Indians is rapidly
disappearing, yet there is always
enough of it around to create distur-
bance when occasion demands 1t.
Smyrna times., 1887-06-08

Chauncey NJ. Depew said to a Chica-
go reporter that the issues of the next
Presidential election would be labor,
tariff and temperance; he favored high
license.
Smyrna times., 1887-06-08

Who can tell when the winter IS going?
Who can tell when the summer is coming ?
We go to sleep when the tempests are blowing,
We wake, and the bees are humming.
From The Century Bric-G-BIdc.
Smyrna times., 1887-06-08

There are brighter dreams and high
er aspiration than the wish to please
and be pleased.
Smyrna times., 1887-06-08

The passenger steamer Pilot Boy,
which piled on the Delaware river for
wears, was recently sold at Washington
ID. c.. for $1,000.
Smyrna times., 1887-06-08
Who Can Tell.
ERNEST WHITNEY.

Who can tell when the winter is coming?
Who can tell when the summer is going?
We 20 TO sleep when the aSterS are blooming
We wake And find il showing.
Smyrna times., 1887-06-08

An exchange asks, ais man 80 per
cent. waterPn No, good many Of MIN
is 80 per cent, cOnceit and beTOther
part wind.
Smyrna times., 1887-06-08

A farmer once called HIS COW Zephyr"
She seemed such an amiable hephyr.
When the farmer drew near,
She kicked of his ear,
And now the old farmers much dephyr
Smyrna times., 1887-06-08

1.-TWO new railroads coming here, 1
understand" said q Dakota man to
another resident of the same place.
"Yes, and there came mighty near
being three"
"How's thatP"
"Why, five of us organized a new
company yesterday with the intensiOn
of running tracks out of this town like
spOkes out of the hub of a bicycle
wheel, but we tried all day and couldn't
raise the So necessary to get incorpOr-
ated. We hope to make it up this af-
ternOOn. Look out for three columns
in tomorrow mornings paper" y
Dakota Bell.
Smyrna times., 1887-06-08
WA. FAIRIES & Bro,
Furnishing UldaPtak9pS,
AND DEALERS IN
FURNITURE,
MAIN STREET hnshs;ss tha Smyyss HAgm
EAIE STREET, opposite The Smyrna House,
Furniture of all kinds.

ParlOr and Chamber suits Bureaus Bedsteads,
Chairs Lounges Tables. Stands. Mattresses, Spring
Beds and every thing in the Furniture Line, guar
anteed at or less than City prices for the same
quality of goods jan If
Smyrna times., 1887-06-08
A $5OO,OOO Swindle.

The hulless Oat swindle which was
exposed in this section several months
ago, has. under the name of Bohemian
oats been made to work great evil to
the farmers of the Cumberland Valley
in Pennsylvania. 1t is estimated that
the farmers of Cumberland, Franklin
and Adams counties have been swim
died out las much as $5OO,OO by these
operations, and whole communities.
were once the inhabitants were pros
porous, are now almost if not quite
bankrupt. A number of farmers in
Kent and Queen Anne counties, Md,
were victimized by this same kind of
sharpers and will in all probability
have to pay dearly for their experience.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-06-03

Yorktown, there were only 5000 southern
troops There was some diminishing, nothing
more. II Mcclellan had Immediately attacked
Magruder no could have forced his line and
taken Yorktown without doubt.
For six days the 5000 Confederates held
Yorktown against McClellan's $1,000 Then
II began to be plain what he was about. He
was digging In the ground around Yorktown,
throwing up earthworks, preparing to place
heavy siege guns and 60 into regular invest
ment He cut roads and built bridges And
still it rained, and McClellans soldiers sick
ened and died In the swamps OF the War
wick. .1e ~ s'l'F-
One Of the Confederate Notifications on the
Federal right was known as Dam No. !.
April 10 reconnaissance Of the Confederate
position was made here by some of Gen.
William f. Smiths men, under orders from
the general in chief. The Warwick was
waist deep, but some Vermonters he
roically waded across and gained the
Confederate rifle pits, which they held
for half an hour. They were forced to
withdraw, the Confederates being quickly re-
enforced. Once more some other Vermont
troops were ordered across, under protection
Of twenty guns, the division battery. But
they were met by heavy fire and were Or
dered back. Gen. Smith was exceedingly
anxious to mass the division and make bold
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-06-03
IN CAMP ON THE cHlckAAoMINY.

Tho historic Chickahominy Is fork OF the
James, which rises to the northwest OF Rich.
mond, flows southeasterly, and empties into
the river about half way between Richmond
and its mouth. North Of Richmond 1t flows
nearly east and west.
Meantime, early In May, Norfolk had been
abandoned by the Confederates. Gen. Huger,
who held II with 1900 men, was ordered to
the defense Of Richmond. That left the
James open to Federal gunboats well up to-
ward Richmond.
McCleans army advanced through the
mud and rain to the bank of the Chick
ahominy. Keyes' and Heintzelman's corps
on the west, at Savage station Hooker's
division of Heintzelman's corps was stationed
to the southwark to guard White Oak Swamp
bridge. Summers, Franklin's and Titz John
Porter's corps remained on the left or north.
ern bank Of the Chickahominy, with McClel-
lan's headquarters ut Gaines Mill. Keyes'
corps was only five miles from Richmond, and
took position at Seven Pines In Richmond
there was CONSERVATION. A niece of Mr..
Davis wrote to her mother:
"Uncle jeff thinks we had better 90 to a
safer place than Richmend. He is miserable.
l fear he cannot live long If he does not get
some rest and quiet"
In this state Of mind, Mr.. Davis Joined
Church. His niece writes: "Uncle JEFF was
confirmed last Tuesday in St Pauls church.
He was baptized in the morning before
church."
1t was expected that Mcclellan would take
Richmond speedily, and the Confederate
government made preparations to leave it.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-06-03
AROUND WILLIAMSBURG.

Mcclellan occupied Yorktown and estab-
lished his headquarters near there. He sent
his cavalry, with artillery, under Stoneman,
May 4, to pursue Johnston. Stoneman
caught up with Stuart's cavalry near the
Halfway house. Here was line of Con-
federate works waiting for him. In front of
him was large redoubt of earthworks called
Fort Magru,ler There was some skirmish-
ing, then Stoneman retreated to wait the ar
rival of infantry to cooperate with him. As
he did SO he left his own cannon behind him,
ingloriously stuck in the mud
May Hooker had marched with the in
fantry by shorter road on the right to join
Stoneman Gen. W. F. Smith followed by
the Lees Mill road on the left. After him
moved COUGHS and Casey's divisions. Kear-
ney's followed Hooker on the right. Sum-
ner's corps followed next day. Franklin's
and Fitz John Portcr's divisions were to be
sent up the York river from Yorktown by
water. Gen. Mcclellan stayed till the last at
Yorktown.
The Federal troops engaged in the fight at
Williamsburg were Hooker's and Smiths di-
visions and Kearney's divisions, besides part
of COUGHS. On the Confederate side Long
street commanded
Hooker fulfilled his orders to the letter. At
daybreak, May 5, he came in sight Of Will
liamsburg Knowing that plenty of re-
endorsements were behind him, he attacked
at once with his 1900 men. All the while the
plan Of the Confederates was to retreat
slowly toward Richmond, keeping a strong
rear guard back Of them till they could place
the Chickahominy between themselves and
the enemy. 1t was mastery movement.
1t was this strong rear guard which began
the battle of Williamsburg, though re-en-
forcements from the front speedily were sent
back
Hooker, fighting hotly at the front, sent re-
peatedly to the commanding officer for help
But the simple fact is there was no COM
manding officer. A conflict of authority
arose between Sumner and Heintzelman, who
disliked each other. So nothing was done to
relieve Hooker
Still the rain fell, as it had been doing for
a month. Artillery wheels sank to the center
in the mud, but Fighting Joe Hooker" kept
until night on the ground that had been
abandoned
Not paying any attention to Hooker, who
was fighting on the Federal left, Sumner de-
cided to make a movement on the right A
Confederate redoubt on Cub Dam creek, east
of Fort Magruder, was reported empty.
Sumner ordered Gen. Winfield Scott Han
cock to go and take possession of it. He did
SO, and likewise took possession of another
earthworls in advance Of it. lie wished to
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-06-03
ON TO RICHMOND.

Gen. Mcclellan had expected the. constant
cooperation Of the navy in the campaign OF
the Peninsula. Gunboats and transports
were to move up the rivers, conveying troops
and supplies, and lowering as protection to
the force that moved by land between the
rivers. The James river was at that time in
possession of the Confederates, but the gen
eral hoped, "by rapid movements" to open
up the James river and capture Johnstons
army and Richmond before re-enforcements
could arrive from the west and south.
For some time previous the United States
navy had been engaged in watching the Con-
federate ram Merrimac at Fortress Monroe
But the duel between the Monitor and Merri-
mac, off Hampton Roads, March 9, and the
presence of the Monitor at the fortress left
that point comparatively safe base of opera
tions. Sound military critics agree that Nc
Clellan should have taken Norfolk before
starting up the Peninsula.
But he did not. He left it, with the navy
yard in full operation and the Merrimac
steaming and screaming defiance about the
bay. At the same time he expected and in
sisted on the cooperation of the Federal
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-06-03
BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS.

May 81 Mcclellan had on both sides OF the
Chickahominy, an army Of 10000. John.
ston, who was wei informed Of the Union
movements, resolved to attack the two Federal
corps south Of the Chickahominy, at Fair
Oaks station. COUGHS division was the ex.
IRENE right Of the Federal forces, and occu-
pied Fair Oaks, little railway station.
Casey's division was grouped little south
east Of COUGHS, around the Seven Pines
tavern, so called because there are seven pine
trees there. Between these two points the
bloodiest fighting was, and it is therefore cor
rect to mention the battle by either name.
Johnston commanded the Confederates,
The position Of the two armies will be seen
from the map. The Confederates advanced
in three columns to the right, left and front
of the Federals. Longstreet and D. H. Hill
attacked in the front, Huger on the left and
Gustavus w. Smith on the right at Fair
Oaks.
Owing to the wretched roads it was noon
before the attack was made. Gen. Naglees
Federal brigade was in advance on the front,
and caught the first heavy fire. He ordered
a bayonet charge to save his artillery. 1t
was given with will, and then Nagles
and Casey's divisions fell back to COUGHS
second line. Casey lost some Of his cannon.
A hot enfilading fire had cut down many Of
his men. To the rear of COUGHS and Casey's
divisions were the corps commanders. Reyes
and Heintzelman, with, as they faced the
south, Reyes on the right and Heintzelman on
the left
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-06-03


never was any more chance to get behind the
Confederate army and take Richmond The
opportunity was lost
There was nothing for it now but to move
down the Chesapeake and then work up to-
ward Richmond in the face of the Confeder-
ate army. Two routes were proposed, but
that adopted was Me- lellan's own, going to
Richmond by march up the Peninsula, be-
tween the York and the James rivers. The
line of march is shown on our map by a
dotted line.
March II the army of the Potomac began
their move to Fortress Monroe. They went
down the Potomac and Chesapeake bay in
transports. Twenty thousand men, largely
fresh recruits, had been left at Washington.
All the subsequent differences and unpleasant
feeling between Gen. Mcclellan and the
authorities at Washington may be summed
up in very few words: The president, secre-
tary of war and congress were unwilling to
increase Gen. McClellan's army by the re-
endorsements he constantly demanded be-
cause they feared it would leave Washington
dangerously exposed.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-06-03

crumbling bones of thousands of as brave men
as ever shouldered musket.
A private letter written at the time de-
clares that Casey's FederaD division alone
lost 5000 men from sickness during April and
May.
There was serious difference of opinion
about the line of march which should be
taken. There was sort of triangle of
authorities to be consulted in forming the
plan of campaign. One was President Lin
coin and his cabinet another was Gen. Nc
Clellan, third was the committee Of con-
gress on the conduct of the war, Senator Ben
Wade of Ohio, chairman. In January, 1862,
Edwin NJ. Stanton became secretary of war,
and thereafter was most active element in
all military affairs.
President Lincoln had one plan of attack,
Mcclellan another The presidents plan was
to move on the Confederates direct at Centre
vile and attack them in their stronghold.
McClellan's was to go down the Chesapeake
and then work up to Richmond, Va, and
capture the capital of the Confederacy before
the army at Centreville could prevent it. 1t
has not been decided to this day which plan
was the best. Either one might have been
successful if carried out quickly. As it was,
there were delay and hanging back and argu-
ment, while weeks and months were lost.
McClellan's plan was finally adopted. But the
fact remains that from that day on Mcclellan
regarded the authorities at Washington as his
natural enemies. In his letters during the
Peninsula campaign occur such expressions
as these:
"Those hounds at Washington are after me
again."
In these words he refers to President Lin
coin and his cabinet and the congressional
committee, including in the lump certain
military commanders. Especially he con-
ceived deadly enmty to Secretary Stanton
March s, 1862, the president issued his gen.
eral war order No. 8, directing the army Of
the Potomac to move down the Chesapeake.
The permission was given with the express
condition that Washington should never ba
80 stripped of troops as to be endangered.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-06-03

once attached to this body with the rank of Sec
ond lieutenant. He was really one of the most
brilliant. officers of the government. When
ever quick, accurate observation and scien-
tific information were demanded, he was put
forward. At one time he was government
exploring engineer in Washington and Oregon
territories. Again, he was one of three United
States officers sent to the Crimea in IS to
study and report on the art of war in Europe.
At this time he was Capt. Mcclellan and one
of the youngest men who ever attained that
rank in the country.
In 1857 he resigned from the army and went
into railroad building and engineering When
the war broke out in 1861 lie was president Of
heeastern division of the Ohio and Mississippi
railroad, and lived in Cincinnati. Knowing
lim skilled in military matters, the
Ohio people had him Immediately placed
ut the head of the volunteer service of that
state May IA, 1861, he was made major
general in the United States army. and
assigned to command the department of the
Ohio s
Shortly afterward took place his campaign
In West Virginia. He did brilliant service
there, service which resulted in keeping West
Virginia to the Union. .
Then it was that he was called to Washing
Ton, ana placed over une afIny OF Une'f OCOmac.
The G. A. R. "boys" of to-day will shake
their gray heads and smile sadly as they
recall that time when Mcclellan went to
Washington. According to our American
fashion, newspapers and people went wild
with enthusiasm over him. He was only "a
years old, handsome and dashing. He looked
the perfect soldier. People called him the
"Young Napoleon" and hailed him as the
countrys deliverer. All through McClellan's
letters to his wife are mentioned the ovations
he received as he passed through to Wash
ington, and even before that After his
success in West Virginia he writes to Mrs.
Mcclellan:
"Well, it is proud and glorious thing to
see whole people here, simple and unsophis-
ticated, looking up to me as their deliverer
from tyranny"
Again:
II had very complimentary dispatch
from Gen. Scott last night. He said he was
charmed with my energy, movements and
success Pretty we'll for the old man."
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-06-03
TO THE CHICkAHOMlNY.

After Williamsburg, McClellan's army fol
lowed on toward Richmond. There were
always delays, though, sometimes from one
cause, again from another. Part Of the troops
were sent back to Yorktown, where they were
embarked on transports and sent up the York
to Eltham's landing, above West Point.
Frankin's division, which had been OH land
only one day since they left Washington, near
the middle of April. was the advance at
Elthams landing. Franklin's men, had an
indecsive little encounter with the retreating
Confederates
1t took good two weeks for the Federal
army to move from Williamsburg to White
House, where the next headquarters were.
The distance Travelled was forty miles, and a
part of the army was now within seven miles
of Richmond Certainly Gen. Mcclellan got
steadily nearer Richmond.
The Federal forces were concentrated be-
tween the Pamunkey AMI the Chickahominy
The Pamunkey was the south branch of the
York. The Chickahominy lay between the
Federal army and Richmond. just as Gen.
Johnston meant it should. In war map of
the situation before Richmond, published at
that time day after day in one of the leading
newspapers of the United States, the Chicka-
hominy river does not appear at all. The
newspaper correspondents with McClellan's
army evidently did not know there was such
a stream They found it out before the sum.
mer was over.
After Williamsburg Mcclellan reported
that he had only $4,000 men. In response to
his urgent demand for more troops, Nc
Dowels corps of Al 900 men was ordered to
go to him by way of Fredericksburg. By
following these points constantly on the map
the reader will get distinct idea of the
Peninsula campaign. Mcdowell was not
under McClelan's command. but led an Sin
dependent cooperating army" Gen. Shields
division was drawn from Banks force in the
Shenandoah valley, and added to McDowells
corps
Mcdowell was ordered to leave Fredericks-
burg and join Mcclellan the middle of May,
which was the time Mcclellan fixed his head
Quarters at White House, on the Pamunkey
White House was the property of Mary
Gusts Lee, great-granddaught of Martha
Washington, married to son of Gen. Robert
E. Lee On the site of this building had
stood one in which Washington courted and
married the widow Gusts.
Mcdowell did not get ready to march for
ten days, May &C. Then came the Stonewall
jackson scare in the Shenandoah valley, and
once more it was all up with the plan for
Joining Mcdowell to the army of the Po-
tomac. DcDowell was ordered back in
haste and commanded to send 20 900 men at
once to the Shenandoah.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-06-03

take a third one, still nearer Fort Magr,,der
and repeatedly sent for re-enfVcements tc
enable him to do 30. Sumner twice ordered
them to go TO Ills aid and twice counter
manded the order. Hancock sent again ur
gently, and that time Sumner ordered him b
fall back. Thus Hancock got no more sup.
port than Hooker did. 1t seemed, somehow,
10 BIO battle without a head.
Hancock was extremely loath to obey such
an order, knowing the advantage that might
be gained. He determined to obey as slowly
as possible. Meantime the enemy poured In
upon him. He began retreating slowly before
them. Suddenly he turned on them and opened
a terrific musket fire. As the smoke from
that cleared away somewhat he shouted to
his men; Snow, gentlemen, tho bayonet. "
His soldiers made tremendous Layonet
charge. That decided the day. The Confed-
crates broke and fled. They lost on that part
of tho battlefield alone 800. Hancock was
superb Gen. Mcclellan telegraphed next
day.
So Hooker and Kearney on the left and
Hancock on the right saved the day at Will
liamsburg May 5, 1862.
But the Cufederates got Off and continued
their retreat toward Richmond, just as they
had intended Next day the pursuing army
captured few of their guns, which had
mired in the mud and been abandoned.
That, with some stray prisoners, was the sum
total of the Federal spolls Of war after this
battle. The Union forces lost 2,222S in killed
and wounded, the Confederates 1850.
Gen. Mcclellan was not on the field till near
o'clock in the afternoon. He was at York
town experimenting the removal Of the
forces that were to go up the York by water.
Word was sent to him at o'clock that the
battle was on, and hotly, and urging him to
go to the front. He answered simply, u
think they can take care Of that little matter.
In his book-McClellan own book-he says:
"Could have arrived at o'clock, it is very
certain that Smith, supported by Couch and
afterward by Casey, would at once have de-
bouched from Hancock's ground and have cut
off the retreat of the greater part OF the
troops engaged against Hooker"
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-06-03
At WASHINGTON.

Placed in command of the army of the
Potomac headquarters at Washington, Nc
Clellan Immediately proceeded to restore the
troops to prime fighting condition after the
disaster Of Bull Run. Any of the peoples of
Europe could not have believed that we were
as ignorant of all pertaining to war as we
were when Mcclellan took command at
Washington. Gen. Barnard, his chief of en-
gineers, tells how their corps had to con-
tend with the want of q special engineer
service. There was no properly organized
train for conveying sappers' and miners i'm
plements, intrenching tools and bridge build
ing appurtenances, etc. Axes were given to
the soldiers to carry for use in chopping down
trees, building roads, etc. The soldier carried
it till he got tired and then threw it away.
Next camp he got new one, and so on.
The transportation of even the pontoon equi-
page fell on the already overburdened quar-
termaster's department during the heavy
campaigning of the Peninsula.
Mcclellan set Immediately about building
an army from the stragglers OF Bull Run and
from the recruits that poured in at the second
call. The result of his labors was in time the
splendid army of the Potomac. In the judg.
ment Of various good authorities Mcclellan
was the best organizer and equipper of an army
either side had during the war. In his
memoirs Mcclellan writes of this time of
preparation:
~ passed long days in the saddle and my
nights in the otfice-a very fatiguing life, but
one which made my power felt everywhere
and by every one."
He felt elated. too, by his call to Washing
ton. He writes at that time: president,
cabinet and Gen. Scott all deferring to me.
BY some strange operation Of magic seem
to have become the power Of the land"
Mcclellan paid particular attention to the
defenses of Washington, and in course Of
time made it u well fortified city. After the
battle of Bull Run the Confederates were adj
vanced dangerously near to Washington
Centreville, little town in Virginia only
twenty miles southwest of Washington, was
regarded as the key to the capital After Bull
Run even that was abandoned, and all the
Union army went trooping pellmell into
Washington. The Confederate forces under
Beauregard Immediately occupied it. In
deed, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston afterward adj
vanced the Confederate lines even to Mum
sons Hill, in an air line only six miles from